[79] Stepping VI
Ash gently cradled the little girl in his arms. Although unconscious, the pained expression on her face slowly faded, as if she had found a small respite amidst the chaos. However, Ash knew that time was not on their side. He needed a safe place to heal the girl as quickly as possible.
Healing magic in this world functioned in a way similar to rewinding time, a concept first discovered by Saint Milis. Ash had heard that Milis was referred to as a Saint because of his extraordinary ability to heal others using magic. The characteristics of healing magic were unique, and only a few individuals were blessed with this healing element, as the magic essentially reversed time on a small scale—in this case, through magical healing.
However, despite Ash's extensive knowledge of magic, he realised that even with the most powerful healing magic, he might not be able to heal the girl's eyes. The wounds she had sustained were too deep and had been left untreated for far too long. Regenerating an organ like the eye could not be accomplished with healing magic alone.
But Ash was not one to easily give up. If magic couldn't solve this problem, he would turn to alchemy. The healing potion he had specifically developed had effects far stronger than ordinary magic. Ash was confident that by using a combination of alchemy and his knowledge of magic, he could restore this girl.
As he continued to contemplate his plan, Ash led the children who had been imprisoned towards the exit. He sensed numerous presences above ground—a large group of people now directly above the great Milis Cathedral, where they currently were. The commotion he had caused must have drawn their attention.
Ash knew that the situation was becoming increasingly dangerous. He had no intention of involving the children in this battle, but neither did he want to hold back any longer. Tonight, he would uproot this evil, even if it meant exposing his power to the world.
"Alice," Ash called softly, feeling Alice clutching his robe tightly.
Alice looked up with a confused expression, her eyes filled with anxiety.
Ash raised his hand, creating a small golem and a ball of light the size of a fist. "You must go first," Ash said, pointing to the golem. "This stone doll will protect you all the way back."
"No! What about you, Brother?" Alice cried, her voice full of fear.
Ash gently patted Alice's head, trying to soothe the little girl. "I'll be fine. I'll come back once everything is over," he assured her, his voice filled with conviction.
"But what about her?" Alice pointed to the weak girl in Ash's arms.
Ash gave a wry smile. "I'll take her with me. She needs to stay close to me to survive," he answered firmly.
Alice felt a pang of jealousy, but she knew the situation was very dangerous. "A-alright... then Alice will wait for you, Brother Ash!"
"Yes, wait for me," Ash replied gently, before directing the children towards the protective golem.
The human-sized golem nodded, its eyes glowing yellow, indicating its readiness to protect the children. It began to walk, following the children from behind, ensuring their safe journey back.
After ensuring everything was going according to plan, Ash turned his attention back to the cathedral. He realised that a great battle was about to begin. "Now," he whispered to himself, "should I do it? The ultimate holy technique... The Embodiment of the Archangel."
---
The sound of footsteps echoed through the cathedral corridor, drawing closer to the main hall. A group of holy knights entered the room with hearts full of vigilance, their swords gleaming sharply in their firm grips. However, when they saw the scene before them, it was as if time had stopped momentarily.
There, in the centre of the hall, surrounded by lifeless bodies, sat a man with his face hidden beneath a black hood. His figure was enigmatic, his shoulders slumped, and his body seemed to bear the weight of the world. But the most striking feature was his gaze—two gleaming eyes that seemed to pierce the soul of anyone who dared to meet them. Those eyes seemed to peer directly into the darkness of the heart, unearthing every hidden secret and unforgivable sin.
The holy knights felt unease creeping into their hearts, despite being trained warriors unafraid to face enemies. There was something different about the man's aura, something that made their blood run cold and their resolve falter. One of them, an older knight in a white robe adorned with a golden cross, mustered the courage to step forward.
"Who are you?" his voice echoed through the silent hall, yet there was no answer. The man merely sat there, still as a statue, his gaze unwavering from the shadows that loomed over them.
The other knights exchanged confused and wary glances. They had heard about the chaos that had occurred in this place—about the slaughter that had taken place moments before, about the shapeless corpses scattered around the stage.
"Answer me!" The old knight raised his voice, fear mixed with anger. "What have you done in this holy place? Where are the priests and monks?"
Slowly, the hooded man lifted his head, and although most of his face was hidden, the old knight could feel the gaze that pierced his soul. "They... have received their due for their sins," the man said in a low voice, yet full of weight. "This place is no longer holy... only darkness remains."
"What darkness do you speak of?" A young knight stepped forward with forced courage. "You must answer for what has happened here!"
The man finally stood, his movements slow yet filled with gravitas. The knights took a step back, feeling an invisible yet very real pressure.
"In this world," the man's voice rumbled like a threatening storm, "true justice is not something that can be decided by those who hide behind sacred masks. You see me as the enemy, but the real enemies are those you have protected all this time."
The holy knights, who had previously underestimated the mysterious man, quickly felt a profound change. As the hooded figure began to speak, an incredibly powerful aura enveloped them, shaking their resolve and filling their hearts with fear. They felt as if they were facing a being far greater and more noble than a mere human. A blinding light suddenly appeared behind the man, making them hallucinate as if they were standing before a god.
"W-who are you really?!" exclaimed an old knight, who bore the title of Sword Emperor of the Water God style, his voice trembling with nervousness. He could not hide the fear creeping into his heart.
The hooded man moved his lips, and although his face was covered, his voice rang clearly throughout the hall.
"I am judgment. That is all you need to know," he replied in a cold tone, without the slightest hint of doubt.
After those words were spoken, his body suddenly lifted off the ground, shooting through the cathedral's roof into the night sky. He flew with grace, as if unbound by the laws of nature. His cold gaze swept over the ground below, looking down upon everything with disdain.
The holy knights who witnessed the event could only stand in stunned silence, unable to believe what they had just seen. To them, the ability to fly was something impossible unless one had wings. In the current era, the magic of flight was something lost to the world, existing only in legends and myths. However, this man, who had no wings, could do it with ease.
Ash's mind raced as he processed the incredibly complex magic circle, a miracle only possible with Ciel's assistance. With his power, Ash was able to control magic at the highest level, reaching the ninth circle of magic, capable of affecting the fundamental concepts of this world.
"Open the door to Heaven," Ash whispered calmly, yet with immense power. A great energy began to gather around him, creating a phenomenon akin to a Mana disaster. The night sky swirled with radiating light, waking the entire city, who witnessed this miracle from afar. His brazen actions attracted the attention of the powerful beings in this world, but Ash did not care. If anyone dared to oppose him, he would face them without hesitation.
A massive magic circle began to form, encompassing an area 50 metres wide, emitting a light that could not be ignored by anyone. Despite the midnight hour, the awakened townsfolk quickly gathered to witness the extraordinary spectacle from a distance, mesmerised by the power displayed before their eyes.
"And come before me," Ash spoke with a voice full of authority. Immediately after, the magic circle split open like a door, and from it emerged a breathtaking figure—a female angel with a stunning visage, holding scales and a hammer in each hand. Six long, pure white wings spread across her back, radiating a divine light that illuminated the night.
Steadfast Seraphim of Judgment: Uriel
The holy knights, citizens, and government officials who witnessed the event were left speechless, transfixed by the angel's beauty and power. To them, it was as if they were seeing a goddess descending from the heavens, bringing judgment for the sinners and hope for the righteous. That night, they witnessed a miracle that would be told for generations to come.